Tiger Woods says he will play in PGA Championship

Tiger Woods hits his tee shot on the second hole during a practice round for the PGA Championship golf tournament at Valhalla Golf Club on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2014, in Louisville, Ky. The tournament is set to begin on Thursday. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)(Photo: David J. Phillip AP)

LOUISVILLE -- After nearly three days of fans here guessing, wondering and hoping, Tiger Woods arrived at Valhalla Golf Club on Wednesday afternoon and played a nine-hole practice round. Afterward, he pronounced himself pain-free and said he intends to play in the PGA Championship, which begins on Thursday morning.

Woods injured his back in Sunday's final round of the WGC-Bridgestone in Akron, Ohio and withdrew from the tournament on the ninth hole. He returned home to Orlando, Fla., to receive medical treatment.

Woods said the injury was not at the same site of the back surgery he underwent in March. He said that when he landed awkwardly in a bunker after a shot on the second hole Sunday, his sacrum--a triangular bone at the bottom of the spine--went out, pinching a nerve and causing backs spasms. Woods said his physical therapist realigned the bone, and he has been receiving soft-tissue treatment since then. He said he is in no pain.

"I feel good," Woods said. "Once the bone was put back in, it was all good. Inflammation has been down. I've got range of motion."

Woods arrived at Valhalla around 1 p.m., pulling his silver sport-utility vehicle into the parking spot designated for the four-time PGA champion. Within minutes he was at the practice tees, swinging some irons and testing out his lower back before beginning his practice round.

Fans lined up 10 deep in some places to see Woods on the first hole, with one simply saluting him by saying, "Thanks for coming!"

"I played all right. All right," Woods said. "Nothing great. It's only Wednesday. I want my good stuff starting tomorrow."

Woods' appearance certainly comes as a relief to PGA of America executives, who were facing the prospect of putting on their signature event without golf's signature player. About 30 minutes before the announcement of Woods' arrival, the PGA's president and CEO fielded questions about his absence, trying to stay optimistic.

The vacant parking spot of Tiger Woods is seen near the clubhouse during a practice round prior to the start of the 96th PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club on August 5, 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky.(Photo: Andrew Redington Getty Images)

"Knowing Tiger, he's making every effort in the world to play, and I think it's no secret we obviously want him to play," said PGA of America CEO Pete Bevacqua. "…My heart of hearts is we want him to play. Do we know what he's going to do? We have no way of knowing. We're just hoping for him to play, because it'd be a great thing to have Tiger Woods here, that's for sure."

During practice rounds this week, Woods' absence had been the main topic of conversation among fans in the gallery at Valhalla. Many said they would be disappointed if he did not play, but they understood that his health was most important.

On Wednesday, Dustin Vaughn of Indianapolis was standing near the putting green with his son Cohen, 8, when word began to spread that Woods' arrival was imminent.

"Everybody was talking about it and checking their phones," Vaughn said. "Kind of the whole reason I got into golf was Tiger. It'll be nice to see him out here."

Woods' caddie, Joe LaCava, arrived at Valhalla on Monday to walk and evaluate the course. Woods missed Tuesday's 5 p.m. registration deadline, but he requested and was granted late registration, meaning he simply had to arrive at the course in time for his 8:35 a.m. tee time on Thursday morning.

Kerry Haigh, Chief Championships Officer for the PGA of America, said that an alternate would be in place to replace Woods if was unable to play.

PGA of America president Ted Bishop said executives had been in touch with Woods' agent, Mark Steinberg, several times over the past two days. But those conversations still hadn't provided much clarity. Now, it appears, the world's most famous golfer will try to participate in the PGA Championship after all.

During his brief news conference on Wednesday, Woods was asked if he believes he could win this tournament. His answer was short and to the point.